Cyclone Ditwah Set To Hit Tamil Nadu-Puducherry Coast; IMD Warns Of Extremely Heavy Rain

Cyclone Ditwah, a cyclonic storm currently hovering over coastal Sri Lanka and the southwest Bay of Bengal, is moving north-northwest toward the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast. As of November 28, the storm is positioned roughly 480 km south-southeast of Puducherry and 580 km from Chennai, prompting authorities to issue multiple alerts for potentially heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Alerts and Impacts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 20 cm in 24 hours in four Tamil Nadu districts: Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai. This alert remains in effect until November 30. Meanwhile, an orange alert indicating 11-20 cm of rainfall in 24 hours has been issued for Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Ranipet, and Chengalpattu. Gale-force winds of 60-80 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 90 kmph, are expected near the storm's center. The IMD has also cautioned fishermen against venturing into the southwest Bay of Bengal due to rough sea conditions.

Forecast Track

Cyclone Ditwah is expected to intensify slightly while remaining classified as a cyclonic storm, rather than escalating to a severe cyclonic storm. The system is projected to reach the north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry-south Andhra Pradesh coasts by the morning of November 30, with a potential landfall near Chennai later that evening. In addition to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, south coastal Andhra districts, including Chittoor, Nellore, and Prakasam, are forecast to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall from November 29-30.

The cyclone follows severe impacts in Sri Lanka, where it has claimed 40 lives and caused widespread flooding, highlighting the destructive potential of the system. Authorities in India have urged residents in vulnerable coastal districts to stay alert, monitor official updates, and adhere to safety measures. Emergency services and local administrations have been put on high alert to manage potential flooding, strong winds, and disruptions.

With Cyclone Ditwah approaching, residents of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh are bracing for significant rainfall, gusty winds, and rough seas. The IMD continues to monitor the storm's trajectory closely, issuing timely updates to ensure public safety as the cyclonic system moves closer to the Indian coastline.